Applications open for CCGs' Partnership Development Fund grants for 2017/18

Applications open for CCGs' Partnership Development Fund grants for 2017/18

07 September 2016

The CCGs' 2017/18 Partnership Development Fund programme opened for applications from the local voluntary sector on Wednesday 1 September for six weeks.

The deadline for completed applications is 5pm on Friday 14 October. Successful applicants will be notified in January and their projects will start on 1 April, 2017.

The new application pack is available on the websites of each of the four CCGs in Berkshire West and through links on the websites of the three voluntary sector infrastructure organisations in Berkshire West – Empowering West Berkshire; Involve (Wokingham) and Reading Voluntary Action.

The pack includes the application form, information about the eligibility criteria and the application process and the key documents that applicants should reference in their applications.

The four clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in Berkshire West set up the Partnership Development Fund to enhance their commitment to working with the voluntary sector on local services for patients that align with the CCGs’ strategic and operational plans. Each year, the CCGs invite local voluntary sector organisations to apply for grants for the coming financial year.

The programme is overseen by Gabrielle Alford, director of joint commissioning for the CCGs. She is keen to emphasise the collaborative way that the CCGs work with the voluntary sector:

Gabrielle said: "By offering one year project grants through the CCGs' Partnership Development Fund, the NHS and local voluntary organisations can pilot new ideas for services that could improve patients’ wellbeing. At the end of the grant, each project is reviewed in terms of what worked well and what could be improved, as well as what we can all learn from that experience."

In 2015/16, 32 voluntary sector organisations were successful with their applications to the Partnership Development Fund. Their projects are benefiting thousands of people across Berkshire West, across all age groups and communities, promoting health equality and complementing NHS services.

People who have benefited from the schemes funded by the Partnership Development Fund have been positive about their experiences, demonstrating the valuable role of the voluntary sector in helping the CCGs to improve the health and wellbeing of local people. One young person told us: "I'm more decisive, better able to assess and solve problems I face and I feel more confident in day life."

As someone living with a learning disability said: "I took my health passport to the doctor he thought it was good idea and I like having one"